I. BLESSING FROM BEYOND
(MUGINO SHIZURI'S TIMELINE, UNPRECISED TIME BEFORE UNIFICATION OF ALTERNATE FUTURES INTO FUTURE PHASE, LOCATION: TEMPLE IN DISTRICT 12)
For many, it was a day like any other. But for Mugino Shizuri, it certainly was not. For two major reasons, at the very least.
First was the wedding dress she was currently wearing. Or, more precisely, the reason for which she was trying it out. For so many years she felt like the surname Mugino was synonymous to right to superior treatment, not noticing that in many ways, it shackled her down. Soon she will relinquish it without regret. Because the woman known as Mugino Shizuri really did change from her younger days.
And as for the second reason... she turned to the entrance, to look at the newcomer.
"Is it alright?"
"You ask me? I bet hero will have an opinion about that, go bother him with it."
"As usual, your gentleness is as warm as depths of subpolar oceans"
"I do not want you lecturing me about warmth and gentleness. We were once in the similar position, after all"
"Heh, you are probably right. Anyway... is that woman here?"
Accelerator's most characteristic features did not really change since his teenage years. Besides being taller and having slightly broader stature, he was still very thin and pale. He wore a black tuxeado and red tie that clashed with his white hair but complimented the red eyes. He slowly walked forward toward and then motioned to someone standing in the door.
"Come in already, she is not going to kill you"
"Y-Yes, master!"
"And stop calling me that. It's been years already and we are both adults now!"
"What does one have to do with the other? You will be master no matter how much we age, you are still equally inspiring!"
The woman that came after Accelerator had long blond hair, green eyes, and quite voluptuous figure, even to Mugino, who was not exactly lacking in that regard. She wore a simply yet pretty dress and radiated innocent curiosity when she looked around. Although this inquisitiveness faltered a little when she focused on Mugino directly, as Accelerator stepped back and watched.
"A-Are you miss Mugino Shizuri?"
"That's right. Are you the one that I was told about? Even with the world acknowledging magic is real, what you do seems a little bit absurd."
"I get that from time to time." the blond woman rubbed her head sheepishly" But I am still happy to help people get closure they need"
"You can come closer, you know."
"Sorry, you look a bit... imposing"
"Pre-wedding rush, that's all. So, miss..."
"Rosenthal. Esther Rosenthal"
"Rosenthal, that sounds strangely familiar... you do look foreign for sure... are you German?"
"It's a surname of jewish ethymology. My family used to travel around the world, including Germany, collecting things needed for best elements to build our specialty, but... I live in Japan for the time being"
"So, Rosenthal-san, I am sure Accelerator informed you already what I desire of you. Can you provide the service I am requesting?"
Esther smiled gently.
"Of course I can. But before we do... may I ask why?"
Mugino narrowed her eyes, causing the magician to wave her hands rapidly.
"I don't mean to dig into your personal life. But... those summoned are my responsibility. So it's customary to ask for a reason. I assure you it's nothing solely directed at you, miss Mugino"
Shizuri waved her hand dismissively.
"Fine, alright. I... am about to commit to one of the most important things in life. But I just... can't do it. Not until I talk to her. Those nightmares and guilt will never actually stop unless I do. I should have done it earlier, the moment I heard about you..."
"But you were scared?" Esther blurted out without thinking.
Mugino's eyes widened and blond woman recoiled. Accelerator leaned slightly forward, observing Shizuri's reaction.
But Meltdowner relaxed and slowly nodded.
"Yes. Yes, I was scared. For most things in my life, I have no problem in being decisive but here..."
"Don't worry" Esther said reassuringly" It's more common than you think. So I can take it that you want make amends and get some unclosed things in order?"
"Yes... that's exactly what I want... I can't go on if I don't have her blessing... and I have to do this... to apologize"
(LATER...)
"As I explained" Esther said, setting necessary articles on the floor of the spacious room between the main room of the temple." I specialize in summoning and controlling the spirits of the dead. Usually, it is best to have a body of the particular deceased, but in this case... I see that this is not advisable. So I created this dummy made from earth and clay, just like golems my ancestors created. Upon combination of artificial soul with residual memories from object belonging to the deceased, this clay will be animated and the soul will be temporarily bound. Did you prepared the item I requested when we contacted one another?"
Mugino nodded and after a moment, retrieved a ragdoll, which previously contained a sizeable number of explosives was placed on the clay dummy.
"Well then, everything is in place. Mugino-san. Are you ready?"
"Yes. Yes, I am..."
"Any others are planning to arrive?"
"Yes, but later"
" I have to warn you, since we do not have physical body, the bonding will only have a limited number of time before being released, so please do plan it carefully-"
"How much time?"
"An hour, with safe estimation"
"Then leave us and let others in after half an hour"
"As you wish" Esther smiled and nodded.
Accelerator gave Mugino long look, that only those who were drenched in the filth of the most vile darkness could truly understand, before simply saying:
"Good luck"
Esther began slowly chanting in a language Mugino did not recognize. Soon, the space around her and the dummy began to glow with green light, as magic circle formed on the floor. Esther put something resembling a paper card on the ragdoll Mugino prepared. The paper seemed to sink inside of it and the ragdoll moved slightly. The golden glow seemed to seep out of it, forming a shape akin to a floating brain. Esther finished her incantation before gently pushing it onto the clay dummy. The vague human-like silhouetee glowed as she stepped back.
"I made it so there won't be any difference, nor restraint, in her behaviour. Like I said, you have an hour. Be sure to make the most of it" Esther said, slowly backing away and outside the door.
Mugino nodded, just as the dummy rose up, and bright light burst out of it, causing the brown-haired woman to cover her eyes. And when she opened them again, glow subsided. And the clay dummy did not look like a clay dummy anymore.
Frenda Seivelun yawned, as if she just woke up from a nice nap, and opened her eyes. Then she blinked and her hands quickly went down to her waist, as if checking if it was there. But everything was in fact there, she even had the same outfit she wore while alive, down to a beret.
"Huh?! Huuuuuh?! What?! Basically, I was killed and-"
She paused, noticing Mugino. She paused, her mouth half-opened
Silence lasted for a bit of time, before...
"Frenda..." Mugino spoke quietly, her voice visibly cracking and breaking on the last syllable.
"Mugino..." Frenda answered uneasily.
The awkwardness, uncertainty, deafening pressure stretched out for quite a while before Frenda chuckled and waved her hand.
"S-So you were the one who brought me here. I am kind of surprised. On one moment I was... well, I don't fully know where, I seem to forget it when I was pulled back here. But what I do remember is that it is nothing like people imagine, and yet it's everything that was already said about it, that place. But whenever I want to say something about it, it slips away. One thing for sure, they don't have any mackerel there..."
She paused, looking a bit queasy.
Mugino's face changed into something Frenda never saw.
It was so rich of an expression, and yet so broken, that it shook Frenda more than Mugino's actual wrath.
"B-Basically, that's quite the face. Why exactly did you..."
Mugino fell onto her knees.
"Ah?"
And before surprised Frenda could say anything, she bowed onto lowest form of dogeza, her forehead touching the floor.
The blond norwegian girl looked as if her old boss suddenly grew a second head.
"A-Are you still mad at me, so mad that you lost your mind? Basically, you never bow, to anyone or because of anything! Look, that's all a bit on you, because even though I messed up, you never really gave me a chance to explain myself and-"
"Frenda..." Mugino whispered from the ground" With all the respect, shut up and listen to me for now"
Even with rudeness in between, Mugino's voice was still soft and shaky.
That made Frenda quiet.
"You are probably wondering why I am bothering you... but I have an important reason..." Mugino carried on" Let's start with the facts... I, Mugino Shizuri, killed you... and some time passed since then..."
Frenda watched her with various emotions in her eyes.
"... I was a coward and weakling for letting this go for so long... but there are some moments I can allow to be tainted by my past. Frenda, I am getting married later today..."
Frenda made a rather comical face of disbelief, and added only:
"Oh... wow..."
"This is why..." Mugino inhaled through her nose, and then exhaled shakily through her mouth" We must talk. Before I go on in life, I must face you with everything it entails. I know I can't dare to ask you this but... can you give me an opportunity to confess something?"
Mugino never, ever talked to Frenda like this before. The blond didn't think she could get more stunned but everything kept proving her wrong.
"Sure..." she said silently.
Despite her plea, Mugino did not say anything for a moment. Before her body shook and she choked out:
"Ever since that day... so much changed and happened. I realized so much, experienced so much, and faced the truth of how much I was lost. I tried so hard to change myself, and I had wonderful people to help me, even if I could not consider any help worthy at first... but over time, I realized what you meant to me... as a teammate and as a friend. Frenda Seivelun. I can't turn back time. I can't stop my own mindless rage that took your life and caused you so much suffering. But now and forever... I just want you to know..."
Tears started to wet the floor, yet Mugino still didn't raised her head. She couldn't even imagine meeting the eyes of a friend she killed with her own ability.
"I am... so sorry. So very, very sorry. I know you have no reason to really believe me, but ever since that time, I've been having bloody nightmares and I couldn't let it go. After Hamazura reached out to me... after Touma came to my life... I felt so sick, being in my own skin. I replayed it over and over again, and I could only reach one conclusion: that was vile and cruel. I was the monster that night. Even if I was mad, I never should raise my hand on you. I should have never killed you. I am... so sorry! I am inexcusable, I am worse than all of those people I once laughed at. I killed you on a whim. But I regret it so much that it hurts. I miss you so much... I never realized how alive and vivid ITEM was with you around. It used to annoy me how much of those mackerel cans were laying around, those stupid pranks, and how much you used that damn "Basically" tic... and after what I did, I found myself laying awake at some nights, thinking that I would die to hear it again. Frenda, I... wasn't myself back then. But it was not an excuse. I am sorry, for everything. For taking your life. Even if we were both deep in the same shit, you had... so many connections, so many bonds that my one decision tarnished forever. You deserved to live more than me."
Frenda finally found her voice again and said with equally shaky tone.
"Y-You know, basically, it's kind of creepy when you are so... sappy. Are you really Mugino? Did you really..."
'Change that much?'
Yes. It was almost unthinkable, almost seemed wrong, given what Frenda and many others could say about Mugino Shizuri. Mugino she knew was a ruthless killer, one that did not cry, did not feel remorse, cared for her own benefit, and would rather indulge in a violent fit of rage than admit any and all weaknesses.
But the woman known as Mugino Shizuri really did change. The way she walked was thorny and bloody. She hurt without knowing possibility of love. She hurt others to not hurt herself. She killed others to forcibly kill her own emotions. Yet, she gained a chance to truly love someone. But for the price.
With the chance for love, came the chance for hate. And with embracing the light, came emotions. With emotions, came the pain. Pain that could only be resolved by confessing the truth.
"I, Mugino Shizuri, was a monster. A selfish, entitled, vile being who killed her own friend. A friend who meant much to me and I realized it only after it was too late. Yet I know that even if I begged and begged, even if I sought redemption with all my strength and was reassured that it was already enough, I still woke up surrounded by the premonition of death. And all I could see was my own reflection, in the glow of my ability, within your terrified eyes. I hate myself so much for what I did, if that's any consolation. I can't bring you back to life. But that's why I am here on my knees, before you, Frenda, giving you all the apology I can give. I will accept any and all punishments you want to give me too. If you want to kill me for killing you, I will not fight back. After what I did... I came a long way round to admitting my faults. And if you want to get back on me now, that's the least I can do"
Silence reigned for a moment before Mugino felt a hand patting her on the head.
"Mugino... raise you head"
And when Meltdowner did so...
SLAP!
Her face shot to the side after a masterful slap on the cheek.
"Hah, what do you know..." Frenda grinned, massaging her hand" That felt good after all"
Mugino sniffed and managed a sad smile.
"You are as unpredictable as ever. Who goes for a slap right after patting someone's head?"
"Heh heh, unpredictability is my inborn gift... third after my legs and bombing skills, I think"
She crouched before Mugino and sighed, glancing at the girl's reddened eye and nose.
"Look at ya. What a mess"
Surprised, Mugino looked at Frenda inquisitively.
"Wait... that's it? You have to do something more than slap me. I just offered you a chance to kill me"
"Nah, I'll pass"
"No, that can't be!"
"And why is that?"
"Because I saw your eyes the moment before you died..." Mugino's voice wavered, but she pushed through" There is no way that this is all you want to convey. Frenda... I said my part, as flawed as it could be. But please, say what you want to say to me too. For far too long I dismissed you when you were still alive. I will not make that mistake now. You had to feel something else. So... talk to me, please!"
Frenda's lips parted and then, she shook slightly while putting her hand on Mugino's shoulder.
"Basically, even if it's hard for you to believe, I don't want to kill you. Even though... I was mad at you, for what you did, I did not wish the same for you. I just can't. Because you were and still are, my friend. Even after all that happened, I still... can't help but love all that we did together. It wasn't all that long but it was really fun. More than I ever had. And lot of it was thanks to you. Even when you bossed me around or threw a fit, it was thanks to you that I felt that I belonged. I loved all of you, all of ITEM. It was thrill, it was fun, it was... oh so much. So I do not wish you death. And it's not like my own death in itself upsets me all that much. When you are a dark sider, you have to take risks. But..."
She paused, clenching her fists, her lips twisting even more.
"I was... so sad. Basically, I thought that... we were friends. And you still did it. You still murdered me. Without even giving me a chance to explain! I wanted to save my own skin and run away, but I didn't want to give you away. I never wanted that. I was forced. But I still felt awful. I am so sorry for that... I wanted to be a part of ITEM, I wanted to stay with you. I was... just afraid and made mistakes. Mugino... you hated me, right? Did you ever consider me as a friend? I felt... angry at you. When I died, all I could feel was regret "
Mugino tried to answer, but almost choked on her tears and couldn't do so. Normally, she rarely cried, but here they were flowing non-stop.
Frenda slammed her fist into the ground.
"I wanted to explain. I wanted to be your friend. We could be friends forever... and I am sorry that I could not help you better. All that time, you've been carrying something heavy within you, something that I ignored in my happy, go-lucky way of life. I thought that I had enough problems of my own. I saw that you were collapsing, but I didn't want to burden myself..."
"Frenda... it was never your responsibility to care for someone as messed up as me..."
"But this isn't about responsibility. Basically, that's what friends do"
"Do you really believe that someone as messed up as us could truly be a good friends?"
"We could have been" Frenda said in a tone that suggested that her heart hurt as much as Mugino's" I was... sad. Sad because of you. Sad because of my own inability. But most of all... I left my sister alone. Even though I felt someone would care for her, I failed as her older sister. All I did, I did for her, for her to be safe, and to have a good life. What was the point if I failed mid-way?"
"It was also my fault. But I robbed you of it..."
Frenda covered her face with her hands, the emotions also getting to her.
"I could do so much more! I wanted to be there for her, when she grows and becomes a woman! I wanted to support her like a good old sister. But I couldn't. All I could think of was that because it was the end, I would not be able to do all of my plans. No more tasty dinner, no more gifts, no more things... we could do together. I hated it... I REALLY HATED IT!"
Mugino bit her lip so hard that it bled.
But then... she felt Frenda's second arm found its way to another shoulder and she heard much calmer voice.
There were tears falling down, making traces that seemed like wet sand on the beach on the floor. They did not know how Frenda could cry. As far as they were aware, Frenda's temporary body was only animated earth. Maybe it was a miracle, or just something added by Esther Rosenthal for the purpose of this meeting. But Mugino did not question it too much, as Frenda's tear fell to the floor and joined itself with Mugino's own, the droplet doubling in size.
"But if you really changed, if you really regret all that happened, if you still remember that guilt... then I am ready to forgive you. You changed. You bowed to me, you offered your life... that's not like you. And because of that I know you are sincere. I do not wish for you to suffer. I just want you to remember me and take care of what you rid me of. Take care of people I loved. If you realize the pain of what could have been, that's punishment great enough. So... what I want to say is..."
"Frenda... no, I don't..."
"... even if you are too stubborn, I forgive you. I accept your apology, and I hope you accept mine too. And if being reborn is an option, since I can't really recall... I promise you that we will find each other and be friends again"
Mugino Shizuri thought she could not cry any harder. She was wrong.
After so many years, Frenda and Shizuri were in each other's arms, both shaking and crying.
It was the end of something. And beginning of something new.
When both of them finally calmed down, they moved onto the bench on the side of the room.
Mugino inhaled and then loudly blew her nose, as Frenda looked around in contemplation.
"So... how long has it been? Since, you know, you killed me?"
"Almost... 10 years" Shizuri answered, still a bit stuffy, but slowly regaining her cool.
"10 years? Wow... Basically, Fremea is already an adult. Also... who is the luck... emm... your chosen guy?"
"I heard that! He is someone quite well-known around city and beyond. You two never met but he always regretted it. You also share quite a few acquaintances."
"Huh? Now, I am really curious!"
"That's fine. Because this meeting is not for me only"
Just then, in perfect synch with clock reached the mid-hour, the doors creaked open and blond head of Esther Rosenthal popped in. Upon seeing her, Mugino nodded and then looked at Frenda.
"You have quite a queue to answer to"
The door burst open and Saten Ruiko practically flung herself onto Frenda.
"Saten?!"
"Frenda-san! It's really you..."
"Oh, that's so sweet...also, that's kind of awkward, being a kid amongst adults now..." Frenda laughed quietly, patting young woman with black hair on the head" I think that by now you know what happened back then"
"I know but I am still...*sob*... you left so soon! Without even saying goodbye!" Saten said tearfully" For the longest time, I did not know what happened. I put two and two together, but the thought of not being sure... I made that curry night by night and stacked cans of mackerel for such a long time! I waited for you. Even when I suspected there was no way for you to come, I waited because I did not want you to be dead for me too..."
"You idiot, why did you do that..." Frenda said softly, before hugging her friend from years back" But I... really wanted to eat that curry with you again. I swear I did. I am sorry I could not say anything before it was too late"
"Damn right, you should be. You had me worried sick. And it was your turn to treat me. Coming to your grave it to it doesn't count at all" Saten said through tears, smiling slightly.
"Oh right, it was... I guess it was... my bad, my bad"
Just then, Hamazura, Takitsubo, Kinuhata, and Touma entered the room.
"Where is Fremea? Shouldn't she be the first one here?" Touma asked Hamazura, who sighed.
"That scatterbrain probably got lost or something distracted her. She phoned me and said she will make it though"
He and Takitsubo were holding small shapes, one each, that turned to be pair of babies, twins if their age was anything to deduce from.
"Frenda..."
Over the years, Hamazura got more muscular, with slightly more pronounced jawline and broader chest, yet when he faced the girl he once spent time with, his expression matched the one from his teenage years.
"It's like a dream..."
"You tell me. Last time I saw you, you were basically a level 0 serving as Mugino's punching bag..."
Shizuri awkwardly cleared her throat.
"...but apparently, woosh! You beat her, and then made ITEM whole again. Good job! Thanksies for avenging me! I would even consider showing you my panties, but..." she winked at Takitsubo" I guess you don't need that anymore. It sucks I couldn't attend your wedding"
"It's okay..." Takitsubo, or formally, miss Shiage Rikou, smiled at her friend" We saved you a seat. We always do, whatever celebration we have"
"You know that ITEM will never be complete without you." Hamazura added firmly" But we do our best to ensure you will never be forgotten."
"Oh, what can I say, my greatness follows me even after death" Frenda tried to sound nonchalant, to hide how much those words touched her" But... it's nice to know I impacted so many people."
"More than you super realized" Kinuhata Saiai said from besides Hamazura and Takitsubo" Hello again, you super maniac"
"Basically, I see that you still did not lose your sharp tongue. Still single?"
"It would be super unfortunate for you to have to die twice now"
"Tee hee~"
"Frenda, we would like you to meet someone..." Takitsubo held out a child to Frenda.
She took the little girl with black hair who looked at her in confusion before smiling and slightly tugging at her blond hair.
"Who is that?"
"Our daughter." Hamazura answered" We had two children, a boy and a girl. One is named after boss... and one is named after you"
Frenda's eyes widened.
"So this is..."
"Frenda II. Or regularly Fren-chan, to differentiate her from you."
"How cool..." Frenda smiled warmly at the baby, before adding with a chuckle" She does not look like me at all though"
"Well, it would be hard for that to happen with how we look" Takitsubo said, watching her daughter play with Frenda's hair" But we hope she will turn out just as wonderful as you"
Frenda's eyes lit up in excitement.
" hysj, hysj, lille en..." she cooed, earning a giggle from the girl." She is so cute! Oh, can I be a godmother?!"
"She is super named after you! I called dibs on that, you can't hog everything even after death" Kinuhata nudged Frenda, who stuck tongue at her.
Before smiling to little Fren-chan once more, Frenda gave her back to Takitsubo and looked at Kamijou Touma. Also taller and muscular, his hair retained the spiky-like look, even if it was slightly toned down comparing to his teenage days. He wore a long jacket on bare arms with rather plain black T-shirt over his body, with pants that looked comfortable enough if there was a need to run somewhere quickly. The muscles of the legs pronounced by the pants said that he was capable of it rather clearly. Curiously, his right arm appeared to have a bit more muscle than left, not enough for it to be overly excessive, but still creating a slight asymmetry stemming from the years of his way of fighting.
Despite his warm smile, there was a strange mixture of compassion and weariness in his sharp eyes, in a combination that was rarely seen and quite hard to describe. It was as if he kept his heart and kindness inside a treasure chest that was swarmed by each possible disaster, which left him damaged, but still standing. And this adult spoke now faced Frenda Seivelun.
"And speaking of the boss... Hamazura once said that he came to us after one guy beat the crap out of him..."
Now it was Hamazura's turn to cough awkwardly.
"... that was you, wasn't it?"
"Huh? How did you-"
"Woman's intuition. So... you are the one Mugino told me about? I am a people person, you know, I am good at reading body language when it's important... wah, why are you bowing?"
Kamijou Touma bent into a deep bow and spoke.
"Frenda-san... I am not really as much of a hero as everyone makes me to be. Even so, I do have a tendency and willingness to save people who need salvation. But you... I heard so much about you, and many of that sounded amazing. I also know that you died meeting a horrible fate... and for many years, you were a symbol of someone that I was unable to save. I am so sorry for that... I know, after many years, that I could not save everyone, because I am only one human... I had no way of knowing, but... I am still sorry. That I couldn't even meet you, not to mention save you. You deserved better. You both did"
Touma said that, glancing at Mugino, when Frenda blinked, her blue eyes filled with confusion.
"W-Why... Why would you apologize for not saving me, if you never even met me face to face before today?"
"That's just how he is"
A choir of voices from all sides answered her.
Touma straightened himself up and spoke, shrugging with a light smile.
"I know it seems strange, and maybe even selfish, but... I just want you to know that if I were there, I would do everything to save you, to give you the chance to find a better life, no matter what... just like I did for Mugino."
Frenda stared at him, her jaw dropping slightly.
"No, seriously, who are you? I am missing some context, will someone fill me in?
(AFTER COUPLE MINUTE, EXTRA-ABRIDGED RETELLING OF KAMIJOU TOUMA'S HISTORY)
The confusion turned into star struck daze
"Basically, is it for real? That's so unfair! Why did I die before meeting someone who is so cool?! It sounds like so much fun! All the running, and saving, and punching! Swish, swish! You are like an adventure game protagonist"
"I really wouldn't call things I was involved in fun..." Touma said in exasperated tone.
But Frenda was having none of it.
"Mugino, was that some kind of covert scheme? You had to actually off me because you were going after him? Because honestly, I would snatch him myself if I were... you know... ALIVE?! He is kjekk å dø for! Totally amazing!"
"Don't be stupid. I didn't even know him back then yet" Mugino muttered, with a tinge of amusement in her voice.
It seemed that she enjoyed the nostalgic banter, that reminded her of peaceful times, before she committed one of the biggest sins of her life.
"Wow, boss." Hamazura said" That's one of the quickest records. It seems your charm only gets stronger with age, like a fine wine"
Saten nodded in approval.
"Oh, shut up, you two!"
Frenda turned back to Touma, leaning forward and inspecting him with a grin.
"So you regretted not saving me? Well, now I regret not meeting you either. Tell you what. For now, I can't really do much. I don't belong to this world anymore. But I will go ahead. And when you leave this place one day as well, if there is a chance for another life... I will find you, I promise. We will meet again and write a whole new, cool story."
"If we are reborn..." Touma mused" How are you sure that you will find me then?"
"I have a bad habit of finding trouble" the blond said, grinning brightly" And you seem like a whole lot of trouble for me. The best kind of it"
"Thanks... I guess" Touma scratched his head at those words.
"So, are you in?"
"Do you really think that bond can transcend lifetimes?"
"Dunno. But with all that craziness around us, I wouldn't be surprised"
"Then... I would like that very much"
They hooked their pinkies and shook them a couple times.
"This is how you japanese do it, right? Saten-san, I swear I will make up for all that time as well. In some form or way"
"I will wait as long as I have to" Saten said with a smile.
"Still..." Frenda looked down in contemplation" It's still good that I revived in my whole body. I don't even know why I know all of those things regarding bringing me back here."
"Side effect of the technique I used on you" Esther helped the summoned.
"It's good that my whole body was brought back"
"Yes, I don't think either of us would bare to look at you being halved, like when Mugino dragged you in front of me for the first time. Your face looked..." Hamazura swallowed and shook his head. Mugino also paled a little.
Frenda frowned.
"Wait... you said face... Mugino, you took my upper half? Then what happened to my legs?"
Hamazura, Takitsubo, and Kinuhata tilted their heads. They never thought about the whereabouts of Frenda's lower half after the murder.
They looked at Mugino who, somewhat unsurely, said
"I... burned them with my beams?"
GLOOM!
"Wow... why are you super depressed all of the sudden?" Kinuhata asked Frenda, who suddenly looked lifeless and gloom.
"Those legs were my greatest pride and joy" she muttered blankly" I hoped they were preserved. They would make a beautiful monument if preserved in cement or concrete-"
"Now you are just super vain!"
"If I were to decide which half should be showed to the future generations, I wouldn't hesitate even for a moment! My beautiful legs..."
Hamazura imagined Mugino carrying a pair of legs around the city and shook his head once again.
'Maybe that was for the better'
Suddenly, there was a loud cracking sound.
Frenda looked at her hand. There was a dark crack that run through her palm and lower arm. Area around it turned into yellow-brown mixture of sand and clay.
"Miss Seivelun" Esther said gently" Your time is slowly running out"
As if on cue, there was a clamour on the corridor and four people appeared at the door, Frenda looked at them and sighed.
"I was lost, but someone helped me reach the main street, when I met Teitoku and Kaibi. And he had an accident, nya!"
Fremea Seivelun caught her breath and looked to her smiling sister with longing eyes.
Right next to her, a man with a rather feminine appearance, Kanou Shinka, leaned against the door, also staring transfixed at Frenda.
Meanwhile, after giving those two reassuring looks, Frenda asked a question to Kaibi and Kakine, also present in the door. Kakine Teitoku, with his body shining a gentle white light, and Gokusai Kaibi, now even more elegant and in bloom of her beauty.
"Why are you here?"
There was a bit of worry in her voice, but Kakine shook his head.
"No need for fear. We came just to say that we join with the apologies. Even if we didn't kill you directly, we might as well have. That's all behind us for years, but you perished as a result and we couldn't make it right... so the least we could do is... tell you we regret it too"
"It was me who forced you to betray your comrades." Kaibi added" I had no idea of the consequences. Only afterwards, because of Kamijou Touma, did I realize my wrongs. I am not asking for forgiveness, but please, know that I didn't want your death, not then, not ever, regardless of what I seemed like"
Frenda sighed.
CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!
The cracks spread through all of her limbs.
"Honestly, it's like the opposite day or something. Friends crying, enemies apologizing... well, no matter. It's alright. In that moment, I also panicked. I wasn't a paragon of loyalty and you just gave me the push to succumb to my worse side. That's all"
She then turned her attention to Shinka and Frenda
"How are you, pipsqueak?"
"Hah, I am taller than you now" Shinka pointed out" You didn't change a bit"
"Yeah..." Frenda sighed, looking at her cracked hands" I will never change though. Fremea, you look like an older sister, more than me"
"No!" the younger Seivelun, now a woman with a wavy blond hair and, pinkish-red beret, protested" You will always be a big sister to me, nyah! Back then I didn't know how much you did for me, but now, I know no one will replace you for me!"
"Fremea..."
"She is right, you will never be replaced in our hearts!" Shinka admitted firmly" Remember all of those presents in the Dianoid?"
"How could I forget? In all that happened, I didn't have the chance to give out any of them? Did you... receive the message?"
"Yes, I did." Kanou Shinka, Hamazura Shiage, and Kamijou exchanged glances" We all did. And it inspired us. We organize a party every year for your birthday"
"With makeshift mini-explosives, and lots of mackerel cans, for all of your friends and people you knew" Saten explained merrily.
"This way, you will never be forgotten. Not as long as we live, we who remember you" Shinka concluded." You made a difference for us, you know"
Even Frenda Seivelun, who was a former bomber and assassin, could not help but not shiver in the touching feeling that enveloped her.
CRAAAAACK!
The cracks reached her torso and neck as she shook her head.
"You silly dummies...I love you all..." she finally muttered, before last, but not least, looking at Fremea.
"Fremea... all that time, when I was working on the dark side, I felt guilty that I had to leave you. But now, when you are all grown up, I just want you to understand: All those horrible things, all of my conviction, was to give you a better life. That's all I wanted. And yet I failed you. I allowed myself to die, and I left you alone"
That last bit came practically as a whimper.
But the adult woman in red bent down a little and hugged her sister, with a sunny grin that seemed like a copy of the one Frenda often sported when being alive.
"I wasn't alone. I had good people all around me. Ritoku, Shiage, Teitoku... and not only them. Everybody cared for me. And I know you never want to leave me. I now know how much you cared. The life I live now is also thanks to you"
Frenda listened quietly, her eyes not leaving Fremea, before she quietly asked.
"Is it... the last time?"
"We won't be able to use the object that we utilized to summon you anymore." Esther replied, guessing the true meaning of the question" But if we can find something similar, the process can be repeated. The number of times in which we will be able to bind you here is finite, but it's not the last"
"I see..."
Frenda, with noticeable strain, turned around, before sighing.
"I can... no longer move. I think this it, for now..."
"I am happy I was able to see you. I miss you" Fremea said softly.
"I miss you too. And before I go... just one more thing..."
Frenda bit her lip, as the cracks reached her neck and base of her face.
"Was I... a good sister?"
There was a moment of silence, before Fremea enveloped her sister in the hug, grinning as as brightly as Frenda did many times during her lifetime.
"You were the best"
Frenda's expression softened and relaxed. She closed her eyes, and spoke warmly, to Fremea only:
"I utgangspunktet beklager, jeg ville aldri forlate deg." she said, her crumbling face hugging into Fremea's hair" Jeg elsker deg, og jeg vil alltid være med deg når du trenger meg. For nå, ha det bra"
"Jeg vet, jeg elsker deg også. Takk for alt, søster. Ha det bra " Fremea replied, still smiling, although tears were flowing down her face as well.
Frenda opened her eyes, delivering one last look at Touma and Mugino. Her lips said two sentences just before her entire face cracked entirely and froze up.
"Take care. And be happy"
Neither Touma, nor Mugino knew if the words were directed to either of them, or maybe both, to care for one another.
But regardless of that, they intended to carry it out.
Frenda's body lost resemblance of human-like looks, and then its shape, the cascade of sand and clay falling onto and through Fremea.
A blessing for beyond was received.
And for better or for worse, new chapter in their lives was opened.
(IN ADDITION...)
Many years passed, and just as many seasons changed.
The girl known as Frenda Seivelun visited her family and friends multiple times, as long as she could, courtesy of Esther Rosenthal. As long as they lived, she had a reason to stay behind in her afterlife journey.
Even among buddhism there was no disagreement about the length of the proper reincarnation process. Some schools, like therawada, assumed it to be instantaneous, with soul leaving one body and incarnating into next one who was born roughly at the time of previous body's death. But others, like hinayana, especially tibethan buddhism, there was a concept of brado, the intermediate state of becoming between lives. That last one was roughly something that happened to Frenda.
Frenda Seivelun floated in the white void.
"Hello? Where am I? I thought I was supposed to move on to the next life"
"And you will. But I noticed you and I thought it would be fun to chat with someone here"
It was a voice that sounded rather old but surprisingly jovial too.
Frenda turned around and almost jumped out of her astral self when she came face to face with a mummy.
A mummy of a man sitting in the white void in the purple and golden robes, in the lotus flower position. He smiled and stretched, his bones creaking like twigs.
"W-W-What are you?!" Frenda exclaimed in terror.
"I am not going to harm you" the mummy uncrossed its legs and straightened up" I have many names, but I think the title of High Priest should be enough. Long ago, my physical form was destroyed. But thanks to my mastery of six paths, the realms of gods, demigods, humans, ghosts, animals, and demons, I managed to lock myself to this plane of existence, the space in between, anywhere and everywhere, through which souls pass on their journey. Not everyone can see me, so it's always an amusing change of pace."
"What do you want from me?"
"Nothing much. Despite how it looks out here, it's like an extended relaxing vacation. I can still use some of my abilities to make it more bearable for my boredom. But company is something that I can never get out of my own ability. So would you mind telling me more about yourself?"
Frenda hesitated and then looked around.
She did not even know what she was waiting for. She did not know what could she even do here.
So she gave up and started talking.
Time passed (or maybe it didn't and it was just a subjective sensation)
The mummified man listened to her, and after she finished her story, laughed to himself
"Ho ho ho... you went through quite much, young lady. And you say you promised that boy to meet him again and renew your bond? Then perhaps I can help in that..."
"Really? How?"
"You will see."
"I still find it strange how I was christian and I am actually about to be born again..."
"When you leave the restrains of humanity..." High Priest mused" you find how many religions can actually complement one another. I don't see why One God wouldn't want souls to ascend in virtue throughout many lives if that gave them the chance to spend eternity with him. But maybe my view is too peculiar. Anyway, I think this will make things interesting..."
He put one mummified finger in the middle of the way between Frenda's eyes, just above her nose and below her forehead, while the other was placed roughly on her heart.
She was about to recoil, but found herself unable to move.
"Consider it an old man's gift for sparing a moment to converse with him. Give my regards to everyone in human realm. Let's meet again in another lifetime of yours, then we can have some nice tea."
"What do you mean?'
But High Priest wasn't listening to her anymore. He started to repeatedly chant something, in the language absolutely alien to Frenda.
Then she felt something heat up in her body and alongside line of her spine seven lights lit up (or at least Frenda sensed something similar to warm explosions of colours). Red at the tailbone, orange at the sacral bone, yellow at solar plexus, green near the heart, light blue at the throat, indigo under High Priest's finger, and finally, violet one just on top of her head.
Those were the seven chakras: the chakra of the root, sacrum, solar plexus, heart, throat, third eye, and crown of the head. Also known as Muldahara, Svadhsitvana, Manipura, Anahata, Vishuddha, Ajna, and Sahasrara in their original names.
Frenda started to feel faint. She wanted to ask something to this strange being, but High Priest's mantra began to sound like a humming, vibration that roared over her and carried her somewhere else. Before she knew it, her entire being was swept away.
(~~~~~~~~)
There was a cry of the baby.
Frenda realized that it was coming from her own lips.
Above her, three people were leaning over to see her. A man with brown hair and black eyes, a gentle looking woman with unruly black hair and big chest, as well as...
A girl that seemed almost identical to a smaller version of Takitsubo. If Takitsubo had brown hair and eyes that excited, which Frenda never saw on her. That was clearly someone else, and yet...
"She is beautiful" the woman said, stroking Frenda's head (?) with her warm head" She has your eyes. And I think I see resemblance to your mother, Takami"
The man nodded excitingly.
"I can't wait to tell mom and your parents. And I am sure dad would love her too"
Frenda finally touched her own face. And she understood.
'I have a... body of an infant? What's happening?'
"Hey, we are so happy to meet you" the brown haired girl smiled, talking rapidly" That is Frenda, my... I mean our mom... but everyone calls her Fren-chan, since there was this cool aunt Frenda who died before mom was even born, but grandpa Shiage and grandma Rikou wanted to honour her-"
"Yuugen, slow down" the man called Takami stopped her with a smile"... she will get that in her own time. But to be honest, our family is strange as it is. I wonder if she will like it"
Frenda Seivelun did not know that yet. But soon came to realize.
As her namesake put her breast close to her mouth, she cried out in confusion. The woman put a hand to her cheek in worry.
"Oh dear, is she not hungry? Maybe she is tired, I know that the labour was taxing for both of us"
Was that was Kamijou Touma meant when he said his luck was bound to make things not as easy as they could normally be?
She, Frenda Seivelun, was reincarnated. And the adult woman who seemed strangely familiar was called Frenda...no, she clearly heard 'Fren-chan'.
That baby she saw back then in Rikou's arms... it had to be that...
'This is just like in those mangas Hamazura read from time to time... and speaking of Hamazura...'
Hamazura Shiage and Takitsubo Rikou were parents of the woman currently trying to rock her to sleep, Fren-chan.
And, although she did not realize it yet, Kamijou Touma and Misaka Mikoto were parents of the man known as Takami.
She was born to them... as their baby, having older sister. With her memory intact.
Was that the gift of High Priest? Or did something else occurred?
"How should we name her?"
"Hmm... I was thinking..."
A life was given to Frenda Seivelun, in the most peculiar of chances.
She did not realize, in her wildest dreams, what things lied before her in that new lifetime.
Nor how much will she change because of it.
She was going to find Kamijou Touma, wherever in the world or in whichever body he was right now. And her adventures, seemingly cut short, were just beginning.
II. THE ROAD TO REUNION
Kamijou Touma looked from over the phone, at the stream of people flooding the streets.
"It's supposed to be here... and time is almost right... will she show up?"
When he turned around to check the other direction, he walked straight into pair of very big breasts
"Umhm..."
But before he could fall back in panic, arms wrapped around him and prevented him from doing so.
After a moment of struggle, Touma finally made an opening enough for him to breathe.
"Oriana!" he mumbled as loudly as he could, given that his face and majority of his head were still squished from two sides" What are you doing?"
A familiar face of blond courier looked at him from rather unusual angle, given that Kamijou was stuck in the middle of her chest.
"I am simply indulging in nostalgia! Don't you remember how we first met on a street just like this one? I have to say, your hair tickles me in just the most pleasant way"
She was holding back a giggle as a testimony to her words, and Touma guessed she was enjoying herself a little too much.
"Oriana!" he repeated" Stop it! We are on the street!"
"Do you imply that you need privacy for that?"
"I-I... don't draw unnecessary double meanings! What I mean is that if you continue to do this, I will be lynched and beat up black and blue."
Oriana frowned at that.
"I know that face. You just thought that people won't like seeing someone like me with someone like you. Is belittling yourself some kind of coping mechanism? Like "Always assume the worst so when it happens, you will not feel bad"? By now, you obviously have to see that you are worth far more than you initially assumed. If you keep putting yourself down, your big sister will have to take responsibility for reeducating you and boosting that esteem"
She leaned in and blew on his ear, a habit she developed since they reunited in England and used to her own amusement in the most unexpected of times.
And now, as if shiver-inducing gust of air connected some unexplained pathways in Touma's brain, he suddenly realized something.
'What about Oriana in the future? I didn't see her child back then, did I?'
The thought of casually thinking of having a child with a girl was actually quite a strange thing to tackle. It just was a testimony to Kamijou's mental adjustment to the time shenanigans of Magic Gods that were supposed to be their gift from them.
'I didn't see her child in my earlier visions.' Touma did not know why he was thinking about it now of all times, but for whatever reason, he became invested in his stream of thought' I can see three explanations to that. One: I was showed a specific moment when that child wasn't present. Two: There isn't any possible future in which me Oriana... d-do it together. And three...'
This alternative was the most complex but also intriguing and alarming
'The future is shifting. It's changing! It depends on my action, just like that bastard and Nephthys both said. My actions now create infinite number of possibilities, which affect the future. And if the future is not set in stone, if for example, my actions with Oriana will cause a child that was previously unseen to manifest. That means...'
It meant that each vision of the future that he saw was its own version within the Future Phase, relative to the actions of his present. That was the reason Kamijou No Touma was still a threat. Until time came and that future became the present, he could cause it to change and shift. Each vision he saw belonged to the set of close but different possible worlds.
One could argue that future could be predestined. But he would not know that. And he could see that his actions had effect. Some of his children's worlds appeared along the way. His timeline kept splitting until unification of the phases!
It was as if he could affect reality itself with his actions. He knew that each and every human could do that, but the fact that he had knowledge of the future made it all different.
'So the more connections are made, the more I affect the future? The more children may be born? But also, the more lives are my responsibility if I lose?'
He was snapped out of metaphysical deliberations by a voice of the second person he was waiting for.
"I see that you are having fun... I do hope you are more appropriate around my daughters though"
Touma freed himself from Oriana's grasp upon seeing Gokusai Yua.
The mother of three girls that became Touma's family looked at them with her arms crossed. Once again, Touma was reminded how similar she was to Oriana and Rikuri, with statuesque legs, hourglass waist, and charming face undisturbed despite being in her upper 30s. The noticeable difference between the woman and her three daughters was hair colour. Cascades of brown hair rested on Yua's back had nothing to do with blond of Kaibi and the other's, although it was most likely their original hair colour as well. Amazora, Kaibi, and Rikuri also had their characteristic eye colour after their late father. Yua's crystal blue irises however had counterpart in Oriana's eyes. On the side note, Touma realized that with Aya, Yua's sister and Oriana's mother, having the same brown hair as majority of the women in Gokusai family, Oriana's natural blond hair had to come from her father's side of the family.
Yua turned her eyes on Oriana and gasped.
"Are you really... walking around like that?"
Oriana looked down. She wore her 'gypsy-styled' outfit with a band partially covering her massive chest and skirt that looked more like fragment of stylized rug covering her hips, with thin strips of white material falling on her legs. Covering very little. And leaving very little to imagination. Besides that, and supposed panties underneath, her body was bare.
"Is there something wrong with my outfit, Auntie Yu? Can I call you auntie Yu?"
Yuamiko did not look like this nickname was first things she wanted to be called, but carried on.
"Are you not worried about dressing so indecently? We are in public, amongst many people"
"Why would I be? I would be worried if I was ashamed. And I would be ashamed if I had something wrong to hide. But there is nothing wrong with my body. More so, I really love it... and I bet I am not the only one"
Touma tried hard to focus on a distant tip of the skyscraper on the horizon.
"Besides, in the end, I will not interact with people that can cause me trouble anyway. I am strong, I can take care of my own"
"Still, this seems... as a model, I can approve of avant-garde style, but... for 18 year old..."
'18 year old? Who?'
Then Touma blinked in realization.
Sometimes it was incredibly easy to forget that Oriana Thomson was only over 2 years older than him.
"It will be fine. Like I said, nothing to hide, and nothing to worry if someone gets funny ideas" Oriana said, giving her aunt a flat look and Touma soon understood why.
It seemed that Yua was not exactly the best person to criticize someone's approach to chastity. In many ways, her outfit seemed like an opposition of Oriana's. Her clothes were covering a lot, but opened up various places such as midriff and legs, and of course, a chest window. Did the older Gokusai thought that the percentage of showed skin was the only thing that made an outfit lewd? Because as a somewhat veteran expert from Delta Force, Kamijou Touma had to completely deny that worldview.
It looked like Oriana's clothes were supposed to be indecent with just a bit of decency to keep it publicly alright. In opposition, Yua's clothes looked like they were overall supposed to emanate feeling of decency but the indecent accents over it completely threw the effect over the window. Because overall dress was not showing a lot, the places it showed and accentuated were much more vivid than they would be if a lot of skin surface was showed. It was just the effect of contrast and it made the sexiness factor skyrocket through the roof.
Yua sighed and Touma heard her mutter something akin to 'definitely my sister's kid' and 'those Englishmen...' under her breath.
"Well, anyway..." Touma said, bowing slightly" I am very glad that you decided to come"
"You were..." Yua paused, looking for the right words"... intriguingly insistent when we last parted ways. It reminded me of someone else, someone very dear to me. So I decided that maybe I was too quick in my judgement, too blinded by wild emotions. Also, you made a promise? Do you intend to... try..."
"Of course I do" Touma said without missing a beat.
Blue eyes of Gokusai mother flashed with insecurity, hope, curiosity, and doubt through a span of couple seconds, before she motioned forward.
"The let's find some nice place to speak. With both of you"
(SOME TIME LATER)
They were sitting in the restaurant. In the private room. With a view overlooking some of the most iconic landscapes in the city.
Touma was honestly sweating bullets because of this. He wanted to do nothing but sing praises to his relationship with Kongou Mitsuko, with her forms of affection allowing him to not totally freak out in high society settings. However, just because he did not feel like passing out from stress, it did not mean that he was fully comfortable.
And speaking of freaking out, he once again was reminded that the trinity of his runaway roommates hailed from insanely rich household. Gokusai Yua moved with such an elegance (maybe it was done unconsciously done, and out of habit, but the way she swished her hips looked as if she walked in a looped catwalk, despite it being just a normal walk for her) that initially none of the stuff dared to question her when simply walked into absurdly expensive restaurant, despite it being still closed. When the manager came running in irritation, she pulled out a sparkling credit card and lightly showed it in front of man's face.
The manager almost doubled over, looking one step-away from seizure.
In the record time, apologies were made, private room was given, cooks were called onto work, and they found themselves sitting by the big table with a panoramic view.
'T-That's what she head in mind when she said nice place?...'
That was the power of one of the richest women in Japan.
The pure pressure of bourgeoisie never failed to unnerve Kamijou Touma.
As Yua was busy with the menu, Touma heard a sound.
Flip, flip, flip, rustle, rustle...
He looked to his side to notice Oriana playing with her packet of spells, gathered in the form of a bound collection of pieces of paper. Those papers contained the charms of very varied and versatile nature and were jointly known as Shorthand.
Although the blond magician was not saying anything, he noticed that she was slightly tense.
Flip, flip, flip, rustle, rustle...
Was she playing with Shorthand because she was nervous? She was so laid back and sassy all the time that Touma didn't think that she could be fretting this meeting. But after a moment of thought, it made sense.
Kamijou Touma wanted to help Gokusai Yua in reconnecting with her daughters. So he contacted her, asking if she didn't want to follow through with it. She agreed, but in addition...
Yua requested for Oriana's presence. Touma was not fully certain about source of Oriana's potential worry but, taking a step back and looking at all that occurred, a lot has happened in a rather short span of time. The three sisters discovered, by accident, that they had a cousin. Yua learned of her older sister's only child. And Oriana was suddenly introduced to mother's side of her family, family exotic in its own right. Was she overwhelmed by that, especially in contact with Yua, a woman who supposedly hated her mother right before they parted ways?
'Should I?...'
Acting more on instinct than anything else, Kamijou Touma reached forward and placed his hand on Oriana's own.
The girl looked at him with surprise, before showing him a look of warm gratitude. Not a smirk or teasing grin, but a genuinely warm smile.
Well, that was a rarity alright.
Touma was about to stop there, but Oriana suddenly snatched his hand and squeezed it with her own. That squeeze contained all the 'thank yous' for looking out for her she could muster without saying anything.
In that moment, Yua spoke.
"Kamijou Touma..."
"Yes, ma'am?" the startled boy was violently yanked out of the world of his own speculation.
The woman crossed her long legs and rested her chin on her hands while watching him.
"I can't figure you out. I suspect I am not seeing a full picture here. I see myself as a great judge of character, and it's pretty obvious that there must be something special about you if you captured the attention of all three of my daughters is saying something... because the way they are so unified in their obvious affection for you is unprecedented."
"Oh please, it's nothing much, really..." Touma felt the need to add" I am just a normal high school boy-"
SNORT!
Oriana covered a stifled laugh by pretending to choke on a water that was served as they chosen their menu selection.
"The point is... I think I owe you an apology, boy"
"Apology? You owe me one? What for?"
"In our first conversation, when I tried to take Rikuri away, I was angry and confused. And I probably still would be if you didn't chase after me and attempt to convince me to give it another chance. Thanks to you, I actually made an effort and calmed down enough to rationally think about what I wanted, what I said, and what I did. You received some of my underserved anger... which was unwarranted since, as shameful it is to admit, you apparently helped my daughters when it supposed to be me doing that. It is a huge blow to my dignity, but you, a stranger to the family, gained better knowledge of them than their own mother."
Touma opened his mouth, but closed it after a moment. As much as he wanted to comfort her, he could not deny that this was the reality of the situation.
After a short break in which they made their choices, Touma was left to wonder on the mother's somewhat unexpected words. Oriana apparently felt that holding his hand was comforting beyond her initial needs, because it seemed she had no plans on letting him go throughout this conversation.
"So... that being said, and you having knowledge of them like you do..."
To his surprise, Touma saw Yua... fidgeting slightly. It looked as if she was suddenly 20 years younger.
"...Do you... see a chance of it working? Me having good relations with them, once again? I... don't know when to start, and I am bit of a clueless type in all of that... but I really, really want to try!"
"Well, with a motivation like that..." Touma said slowly" I don't see what it should not work out!"
"Really?!"
Yua's face lit up so brightly that Touma could not help but chuckle at it.
She quickly composed herself, and looked at him with pursed lips.
"W-What are you laughing about?"
"I am sorry, but you keep showing me how much your daughters resemble you. Just now, you looked like Amazora when I tell her we are going to do something fun together. And you being cautious is like a copy of the way Kaibi acted when we first met. It is actually... cute, in a way "
"Oh, I see... that's comforting" Yua huffed under her breath, before smiling" It's nice that anything of me remained in them. But, you think there is a chance for making things better?"
"Yes. But there are three rules I can think about for this to work. Firstly, you have to stop with the attitude that you know what is best for them"
"But... I am their mother..."
"Personally I guess... and I don't know anything more since I am not a mother..." Oriana joined in" But I think that becoming a mother in itself is easy. But the knowledge how to keep being a good mother as the life goes on is another thing"
"Exactly!" Touma showed thumbs up to that" You both made mistakes. Sure, they did not do the most logical thing by running away, and maybe it could have been handled better, but you were an adult. And you treated them like your offsprings, not daughters"
"Isn't that the same thing?!"
Yua flared in anger, but Touma was not deterred he shook his head.
"What I mean is... to cope with your own loss, you used them to make it seem like you were performing your duties as a mother and head of the family. But you did this for yourself. So, what I think they need is for you to acknowledge them as their own people. You may say you do, but how much do you actually know about them? What makes them happy and sad, what they enjoy and dream about? This is a second part. And also... don't be scared to do things step by step. I think that if you stop expecting success after first attempt, it will help everyone around you, including yourself"
The food arrived. As they ate, Yua had a face of deep contemplation, with her eyebrows knitted.
Finally, she exclaimed:
"As bad as our relationships are, I can't risk taking any more evasions on the topic. I will do what you advise"
"That's... that's the attitude! I promise that it will work"
"Auntie Yu" Oriana said and Yua almost recoiled back from hearing this nickname once again" I hope you don't mind me asking, we did you want to see me?"
"Ah yes... Oriana-san..." Yua gently wiped her crimson lips with a napkin, before setting her plate aside" To put it bluntly" Me and Aya, your mother... as sisters, we had a rocky relationship, full of twists and turns, ups and downs. We were inseparable, we did everything together, and braved through the caprices of our overbearing mother. I couldn't imagine world without her and I felt that she had to have it the same way. But then your mother met your father, fell in love, and they ran away together to his homeland, leaving me alone with responsibility of next head of the family. But more than that, I felt betrayed and alone. Your mother sent letters and assured that our bond didn't change, but I felt betrayed. When I met my husband... or rather, when he pursued me with such determination that I fell in love... I understood my sister. And yet... when he died and I was left alone with my girls... I went into the worst depression in my life. Even if I wanted to connect with my sister, I couldn't care enough to do actually reach out in some form, until it was too late... I realized she had a child, I really did... but only after much time did I came to realization that all that anger wasn't worth it. I shouldn't be mad at my sister for her choices. My niece, you are Aya's legacy. And I don't want to waste any more time by dwelling on the past, so... if you ever want anything, just know that you are part of this family."
Oriana was silent for a moment, before replying
"To be honest, I can get by on my own. I have my duty to the world and my job isn't so bad. I may even say that I am talented when it comes down to it. But... on the other hand... it's nice to know that I have family. All of my cousins are so precious, it's fun to end up with such a lively group. I think we live in a different worlds, but recently, I think I have a place by their side as well. It's like... being on the road, but knowing there is a place you can back to, have fun, cry, or simple be. It is comforting. So I am glad for this family. And... I won't mind if you tell me more about mom"
"Yes, of course, and if you are willing to share some stories of your own..."
"I am. But I think that your own daughters should come first"
Yua smiled and clapped her hands, calling a waiter.
"Yes, I suppose that is correct. And Kamijou-san?"
"Yes?"
"I will pay for you"
"Geh? But-"
"I saw how you looked at the prices. You don't have to worry. I am not some evil witch. I am... how can I put it... mentally complex, not evil. I don't want to torture you"
"Oh, that's surprising. Usually when I got such strike of luck, something even worse usually ends up happen-"
Touma miscalculated. As he got up, he bumped onto the table with his knees, causing the remaining coffee in the cup to shoot in the air, straight onto Yua's attire. In the rather unflattering brown pattern against the crimson background.
"That... was one of my favourite dresses"
"A-Alright... and how much... will de-staining it cost?"
He was afraid he was not to hear that number.
He was not mistaken. He really wasn't.